Ear wax in later life, and the hearing aid problem
Why ears over sixty block more, why aids make it worse, and the maintenance routine that keeps both working.
Ears produce drier wax and clear it more slowly with age, and hearing aids compound the problem by blocking the canal's exit route, so build-up in later life is normal rather than a hygiene failure. Gentle microsuction every six to twelve months keeps canals clear and aids working; between visits, no cotton buds, and olive oil if advised.
A good share of our Urmston diary is people over sixty, often steered here by a family member or an audiologist who spotted the real problem behind a "failing" hearing aid. The pattern is so consistent it deserves its own guide.
What age changes in an ear
Three slow shifts add up. The glands that make wax produce less oil, so wax turns dry and crumbly rather than soft and mobile. The canal skin's conveyor-belt migration, which normally walks wax outward as you chew and talk, slows down. And canal hairs grow coarser, forming a net that holds debris in place. The result: wax that once cleared itself now sits, hardens and accumulates, entirely regardless of how clean you keep your ears.
Enter the hearing aid
Hearing aids are transformative and slightly self-sabotaging. An earmould or dome sits in the canal for twelve hours a day, blocking the exit and gently compacting whatever wax is trying to leave. Wax, in return, attacks the aid: it clogs receivers and vents, muffles output, and causes the classic whistling feedback as amplified sound bounces off the blockage back into the microphone. Many an "broken" aid, and some expensive upgrades, turn out to be a £40 wax problem.
The practical rule for aid wearers: when an aid suddenly whistles, weakens or sounds underwater, suspect the canal before the electronics. We are happy to be the first check; if the canal is clear, there is no fee, and you can pursue the audiologist with confidence.
Why microsuction suits older ears
- It is dry. No water pressed into canals that may have quietly acquired thin drums, past perforations or surgical history over the decades. Tell us your ear history and we assess suitability on the day.
- It is visual. Dry, hardened wax needs to be seen to be removed safely, and direct vision means nothing is pushed deeper.
- It is usually well tolerated and unhurried. Appointments take twenty to thirty minutes, seated comfortably, with time to talk.
A sensible maintenance routine
- Soften before visits: olive oil two to three times daily for three to five days before an appointment, unless you have a perforation, grommets, discharge or advice to keep ears dry, in which case skip drops and tell us.
- Check-ups every six to twelve months if you wear aids or have blocked twice before. Your interval becomes obvious after a couple of visits, and we will tell you honestly if you do not need one.
- Bring the aids along. Testing them in freshly cleared canals before you leave is the quickest proof of what the wax was costing you.
- Family can book on your behalf by calling 0161 748 3016, and the pharmacy is step-free at 179-181 Canterbury Road, Urmston M41 0SE, with parking close by.
Prices are £40 for one ear and £60 for both at Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston, with no fee if the canals are clear. Book below or call 0161 748 3016.